England win World Cup thriller

Stuart Broad (right)
12 April 2012

England pulled off a thrilling six-run win over South Africa in Sunday's Group B match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium to put their World Cup back on track.

South Africa appeared to be coasting towards a routine target of 172, on 63 without loss and then 124 for three - only to lose four wickets for three runs on an awkward spinners' pitch.

Then after an eighth-wicket stand of 33 between Dale Steyn and Morne van Wyk tilted an intriguing contest in previously unbeaten South Africa's favour again, Tim Bresnan intervened - and Stuart Broad (four for 15) took the last two wickets in four balls.

England endured a wretched start after Andrew Strauss chose to bat first, but recovered in a 99-run stand between Ravi Bopara (60) and Jonathan Trott (52). They were still all out in only 45.4 overs as Imran Tahir (four for 38) and Robin Peterson (three for 22) did the bulk of the damage.

Strauss and Kevin Pietersen were dismissed in the first over of the match after South Africa opened the bowling with left-arm spinner Peterson - who was to see off three of England's top order for three runs in 16 balls. Despite the partial success of Bopara and Trott's fourth-wicket recovery mission, England then lost their last six for only 37.

In South Africa's reply, Hashim Amla (42) was significantly more comfortable than his captain Graeme Smith (22) in a half-century opening stand which suggested South Africa would saunter to victory.

But a marginal DRS process for caught-behind saw to Smith, pushing forward at a Graeme Swann off-break, and was to prove a controversial and major turning point. Then Broad brought the wickets of Amla - chopping an attempted off-side steer onto his stumps - and Jacques Kallis, caught behind low down.

AB de Villiers (25) and Francois Du Plessis (17) appeared to steady South Africa nerves with a stand of 42, until both went on 124. James Anderson returned to trim De Villiers' bails, and impressive reactions from Ian Bell at short-leg were enough to run out Du Plessis.

Anderson then knocked back JP Duminy's off-stump, and Mike Yardy had Peterson edging behind as South Africa ground horribly to a halt and suddenly could not stop losing wickets.

Steyn and Van Wyk looked set to win the game for South African until Bresnan returned to have Van Wyk playing on. Still Steyn would not be moved until, with eight still needed in the 48th over, Broad was back to see him off lbw and then Morne Morkel caught behind to give England their second win of the tournament and South Africa their first defeat.

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